The Ku Family

Since 1999, Saw Par Ku has never been in one place long. To
escape civil war in Burma, he fled to a refugee camp in
Thailand where he met his wife, Naw Anna. The two relocated
to Malaysia together, but were still not safe in that country.
They continued to live on the run until 2010, when the U.N.
qualified them as refugees and relocated them to Austin,
Texas.
When they first moved, it was Saw Par, Naw Anna, and his
young daughter, Naw Serena (now 8). The three of them
shared a one bedroom apartment. However, since then Naw
Serena has grown and they have added a son, Paw Samuel (13
months) to their family so they had to move to an expensive,
two bedroom apartment. To make it even more difficult, every
time the family renews their lease, the price climbs. This has
left Saw Par constantly wondering if they will have to move
again.
Saw Par has worked on the custodial staff at Dell Childrens
Medical Center since he arrived in Austin. While he learned
some English from working at a restaurant in Malaysia, he says
he has improved his English from listening to everyone around
him in the hospital. The Ku family has joined a small church of
Karen people - an ethnic subgroup of Burma - and Saw Par
uses his knowledge of English to help other members who do
not speak the language adjust to life in America. He also gives
guitar lessons to the church youth.

Burma at a Glance

Burma is a multi-lingual country: more than 100

languages are spoken there
There are eight major ethnic groups in Burma
Since 2005, the U.S. has become home to more than
73,000 Burmese refugees
Saw and Naw are the Karen peoples way of
designating men and women

Saw Par is most excited about not having to worry about

moving his family again, but a close second is having a
larger kitchen. One of the Ku familys favorite activities is
cooking a big meal on Sundays after church. Saw Par is
especially looking forward to barbequing in his backyard.
When it comes to Austin Habitat, the Kus are touched by
the people they have met. Everyone is like a family, he
says of the other families and Habitat staff.
However, he is especially touched by the generosity of
those around him. He wants Realty Austin and everyone
working on his home to know how grateful he is to them.
He never believed he would be able to afford a home in
the United States and is still not used to companies and
organizations helping others. I love Burma. But in my
country, the government does not take care of its people.
To be here where people are kind and giving, it is very
nice. We are very thankful, he says.